Tea ceremony is called "Sadou" in Japanese, and
it means "the way of tea".
In a simple term, it is a ceremony that the host makes a tea and
entertains his guests with ritual.
Of course, when we do an entertaining for our guests at home,
we serve tea to them. But commomly it is not a way of tea ceremony
but a casual way.
Additionally, most Japanese people don't know the formal way of tea
ceremony, and if we want to join a tea ceremony, we must learn the rule
of it.
So basically, the people who have learned or are learning are invited
to the tea ceremonies held in various location.
Tea was introduced from China around the 9th century.
But it finally started to become popular in the 12th to 14th century.
At this time, feudal lords often held the big tea parties, but in
contrast a few priests preached the way of ceremony for communication
of mind between a host and the guests to them.
And in the 16th century Sen no Rikyu completed the style of tea
ceremony.
After that, his pupils passed down the know-how for genetation, so currently there are many schools across the country.
Usually a tea ceremony starts around noon, and it takes 3 to 5
hours.
And not more than 5 guests are invited.
Above procedure is formal and is the full course.
Generally, the part from step 7 to 11 is tea ceremony.
A tea room for tea ceremony is usually a cottage in Japanese
garden, and sometimes we can find it in any big hotels or public halls.
General private houses hasn't such a tea room.
Tea room has only one Japanese small room, and the entrance is very
small.
The room has tatami covered floor and a tokonoma. And there is a small
fire pit for boiling water on the floor.
The tea of ceremony is made from powdered green tea called
"maccha".
The host puts a small spoon of maccha
into a ceramic cup like bowl,
pours hot water into it, and whisks it with a small bamboo whisk.
The tea is bright green and very creamy.
There are many schools of tea ceremony.
The big 3 schools are Omote-Senke, Ura-Senke and Mushanokoji-Senke.
Nodate is outdoor tea ceremony.
In spring or autumn, it is held as the casual tea ceremony in the
garden.
Of course, it is held when it is on a fine day.
Red carpet is put down, and the tea ceremony is held.
Basically, the content is only having tea and confectionery.
And the guests enjoy the tea and thebeautiful nature in the garden.
Nodate is sometimes held in the temple, shrine and park with Japanese garden.
In most cases, we can join the ceremony for a fee.